Why The Office Of The National Security Adviser Is A Backbone To Any Government

Why The Office Of The National Security Adviser Is A Backbone To Any Government

The office of the National Security Adviser is not to be messed with. If any government takes governance serious it would put its best man there. Often times a strategic person that can see the big picture, especially as it relates to law and order. This person must have foresight. Must be a planner. A strategist. A diplomat. Everything a government needs.

What many don’t understand is that the NSA as an adviser on national security issues. Literally advises on everything.

But let me mention one key thing: the NSA’s most critical role is COORDINATION between various government agencies. The NSA facilitates communication and cooperation among different government agencies involved in everything that relates to national security.

Wait … I did not say Security Agencies. I said COORDINATION between various government agencies!

His role in COORDINATION is beyond security.

Do you know why?

Because security cuts across every sector.

National security can come in the form of food security, in Gaza, in South Sudan, in Ethiopia, DRC, all these countries are facing food crisis and this is as much national security as it is food security.

It can also come in form of Health Security. Do you know that all National Security Advisers across the world were the busiest government officials after Health Officials during the Covid 19 Pandemic? Did you observe that in some countries the Armed Forces began to play a role?

Even in international relations, NSAs engage with their counterparts and foreign officials to discuss issues that face their country.

Now here is one that people take for granted: National Security Advisers play a crucial role in public communication, shaping narratives and communicating government policies especially on security issues.

They are also the first persons the President calls for Crisis Management and Policy Development (on security matters).

If you want to know more about NSAs across the world read about these guys: Condoleezza Rice, McGeorge Bundy, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Robert O’Brien, Nikolai Patrushev and Sir David Omand.

– By Mr Efiwe of Lagos